“My dad was a Road Ranger,” Metellus's son, Woodson Metellus, told WPBF 25 reporter John Dzenitis. “My dad was the type of guy you could depend on. He was always there for people.”

Metellus’ family knew the risks and dangers he faced on a daily basis.

”It was a dangerous job. He told us himself it was dangerous,” Woodson said.

Still, nothing could prepare them for the terrible call early Sunday morning when the Florida Highway Patrol notified them Metellus had been struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver.

Around 1 a.m., Metellus was helping out a disabled car on I-95 South near the Palmetto Park Road exit in Boca Raton. As he was standing on the shoulder, talking to the vehicle’s owner through the driver’s side window, a vehicle slammed into them, killing Metellus and injuring the occupants of the disabled car.

The driver kept going but left behind a side-view mirror and other parts. FHP investigators have narrowed the suspect vehicle down to a silver or grey 2005 Grand Cherokee. They’re asking anyone with information to come forward.

“I’m angry at [the hit-and-run driver] of course. I want the cops to catch him but at the same time I can’t hate him because it’s an accident,” Metellus said. “We’re all human (but) he needs to be brought to justice.”